Adjustable v bearing for guiding translating shafts



Oct. 22, 1968 H. R. ZEIDLER 3,407,011

ADJUSTABLE V BEARING FOR GUIDING TRANSLATING SHAFTS Filed March 15, 19665 Sheets-Sheet l If.) H L1";

ffl IQ P76. 3. FIG. 5.

4/ I 1 F/ G. 6 INVENTOR. 70

H/QVDOLF Zf/DLf/P LY 04 Ema/M H. R. ZEIDLER Oct. 22, 1968 ADJUSTABLE VBEARING FOR GUIDING TRANSLATING SHAFTS 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 15,1966 FIG. 8.

R mmm NZ E 0 my Z 0 w #M H 2 W/ w Oct. 22, 1968 ADJUSTABLE V BEARING FORGUIDING TRANSLATING SHAFTS Filed March lb-dl i H. R. ZEIDLER 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR E0004 F 25/04 62,

United States Patent-O 3,407,011 ADJUSTABLE V BEARING FOR GUIDING vTRANSLATING SHAFTS Herman Rudolf Zeidler, 3812 Dianne St P I Bethpage,N.Y. 11714 Continuation-impart ofapplication Ser. No. 446,950, Apr. 9,1965'. This application Mar. 15, 1966, Ser.

. v 7 Claims. (Cl. 308-6) ABSTRACT oF THE DISCLOSURE This application isa continuation-in-part of applicants previously-filed application Ser.No. 446,950, filed Apr.

9; 1965, and entitled Adjustable V Bearing for Guiding TranslatingShafts.

This invention relates to shaft-supporting devices, and moreparticularly to bearing assemblies of the type employed'to guide shaftsor elongated machine components for linear Ortranslational movement.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedbearing assembly for supporting and guiding a shaft or other elongatedmachine member for linear or translational movement the improved bearingassembly being simple in construction, being readily adjustable over asubstantial range so that it may be employed with various sizes andshapes of shafts, being relatively compact in size, and beinginexpensive to fabricate.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustablebearing assembly for supporting and guiding shafts or other elongatedmachine members for longitudinal translational or reciprocatory motion,the bearingassembly'involving only a few. parts, being substantiallyself-aligning, being arranged so that it can accommodate a wide. rangeof diameters or cross-sectional shapes of shafts employed therewith,being conformable to shafts which are of varying cross-sectional shapealong their lengths or which are bowed or otherwise distorted,which isdurable in construction, and which is easy to keep clean and lubricated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedbearing assembly for supporting a shaft or other elongated machinemember for longitudinal translational or reciprocating movement, thebearing assembly being easy to install, being. easy to repair orreplace, having a high load-supporting capacity, producing relativelysmall frictional loss during operation thereof, being easily. adjustableto work with shaft diameters varying over a wide range, being likewisereadily adjustable to provide any desired class of fit with respect tothe associated shaft, and causing minimum wear on said shaft.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedbearing assembly for supporting a longitudinally-translating orreciprocating shaft or other machine part, the bearing assembly beingeasy to lubricate, providing a reliable supporting action for theassociated shaft without binding or excessive wearing of the surface ofthe shaft engaged thereby, and serving to reliablyand-safely supporttranslating or reciprocating shafts opcrating even at high speeds andproducing a minimum amount of vibration and noise, the bearing assemblybeing arranged so that the shaft supported thereby moves with minimumvibration and noise.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedbearing assembly for supporting a shaft or other elongated machinemember for longitudinal translational or reciprocating movement, thebearing assembly involving cooperating supporting pulley elementsengaging opposite sides of the longitudinally-translating orreciprocating shaft or other machine part with guiding action, thepulley elements being arranged so that they have a sufficient amount ofaxial play so that'the assembly adequately supports shafts or otherelongated machine parts which are somewhat bowed or otherwise distorteor which vibrate somewhat during operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of an improved bearing assemblyconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on theline 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view, similar toFIGURE 2, but showing the inner yoke member of the assembly inclined ata substantial angle with respect to the outer yoke member to accommodatea shaft of smaller diameter than that shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view taken substantially on the line 55 ofFIGURE 4.

FIGURE '6 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3. 1 FIGURE 7 is an elevationalview, similar to FIGURE 1, but showing a modified form of bearingassembly according to the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on theline 88 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view takensubstantially on the line 99 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an elevational view, similar to FIG- URES 1 and 7, butshowing a further modified form of bearing assembly according to thepresent invention.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view takensubstantially on the line 1111 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken through avertical wall element and showing another modification of a bearingassembly according to the present invention mounted on said verticalwall element in a position with the plane of the main supporting yokemember of the bearing assembly perpendicular to the vertical wallelement.

FIGURE 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view, similar to FIGURE 3, butshowing still another modified form of bearing assembly constructed inaccordance with the present invention, shown mounted in adjustedposition on a vertical supporting wall element.

FIGURE 14 is a view similar to FIGURE 13, but showing still a furthermodification of the bearing assembly.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional detail view takensubstantially on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 16-16 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 17 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URES 13 and 14, butshowing a still further modification of the bearing assembly. I

3 FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional detail view takensubstantially on the line 18-18 of FIG- URE 17.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGURES l to 6, 11generally designates one form of an improved bearing assembly for alongitudinally-moving shaft or other moving part, for example, for alongitudinally-reciprocating or translating shaft 12, shown in dottedview. The shaft-supporting assembly 11 comprises an inverted U-shapedmain support member 13 which is rigidly-secured in any suitable mannerto the ceiling 14, or to any other object, where there is to be relativemovement between said object and the shaft 12 in the direction of theaxis of the shaft. The main supporting element 13 is provided with therespective vertical depending side arms 15 and 16. Generally designatedat 17.is a rectangular frame or yoke which is pivotally-supportedbetween the side arms 15 and 16 on the axis defined by alignedrespective stud elements 18 and 19. The yoke 17 is generally rectangularand has the/side arms 20 and 23 and the top and bottom arms 22 and 21.The stud member 18 is integrally-formed at the mid-portion of the sidearm 20, and the stud member 19 is integrally-formed at the mid-portionof the side arm 23.

The stud members 18 and 19 extend through respective bearing bushings 26and 27 provided in the arms 15 and 16, and respective spacer washers 28and 29 are provided between yoke arm 20 and arm 15 and between the yokearm 23 and arm 16, as shown in FIGURE 3.

The yoke assembly 17 is thus pivotally-supported for adjustment on thehorizontal axis defined by the stud elements 18 and 19.

Rotatably-supported in the rectangular yoke assembly 17 on spacedparallel axes which are parallel to the horizontal axis defined by studelements 18 and 19 are respective V-grooved rollers 30 and 31. Each ofthe rollers 30 and 31 is formed with an annular central V-groove definedby opposing conical walls 32 and 33 which merge with a center portion34. The conical elements 32 and 33 may be at any suitable angle relativeto the roller axis, and are preferably symmetrical relative to theperpendicular bisector of said axis. For example, in the particularembodiment illustrated, the conical surfaces 32 and 33 intersect theplane of the yoke assembly 17 at lines which are substantially at rightangles to each other.

The roller 30 is formed with reduced end stud portions 35 and 36 whichare rotatably-received 'in rigid bushings 37 and 38 which are, in turn,supported in rubber bushings 39 and 40 or similar bushings of any othersuitable resilient deformable material allowing light yielding of thebushings 37 and 38, and thus allowing corresponding slight yieldingmovement of the stud elements 35 and 36.

The roller 31 is similarly formed with reduced end stud portions 41 and42 which are loosely-received in rigid bushings 43 and 44 securedrespectively in side arm 20 and side arm 23, and extending parallel tothe resilient deformable bushings 39 and 40 secured in these members. Asshown in FIGURES 3 and 6, the stud members 41 and 42 are slightlysmaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the bushings 43 and 44to allow a small amount of play between the stud elements and thebushings in the direction transverse to the roller axis. The annularabutment shoulders 45 and 46 inwardly-adjacent the stud elements 41 and42 likewise terminate short distances inwardly of the inside surfaces ofthe members 43 and 44 to allow a moderate amount of endwise movement ofthe roller 31. Thus, the roller 31 is able to shift in accordance withirregularities in diameter of or slight non-linearity of the supportedshaft 12 while its conical bearing surfaces 49 and 50 remain insupporting contact with the shaft.

The use of rubber bushings 39 and 40 is optional, and said rubberbushings may be omitted, depending upon required economy of design andrequired accuracy.

When the assembly 11 is installed, the shaft 32 is passed between therollers 30 and 31 and the yoke memher 17 is angled to a position suchthat the conical surfaces 32 and 33 of the top roller 30 engage the topsurface of the shaft and the conical surfaces 49 and 50 of the bottomroller 31 engage the bottom surface of the shaft. The rectangular yokeassembly 17 may then be locked in this position, for example, by a setscrew 52 threadedlyengaged through the arm 16, the set screw beingtightened so that it lockingly-engages the top portion of the side arm23. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 5, the tightened set screw 52 locks theinclined yoke assembly 17 in working position with the V-rollers 30 and31 in surface-rolling contact with the shaft 12. When there is relativelongitudinal translational or reciprocatory movement between shaft 12and member 13, the assembly 11 supportablyengages the shaft with theconical'surfaces 32, 33 and 49, 50 substantially in continuous surfaceengagement with the shaft. If the shaft is non-uniform in diameter or issomewhat non-linear, the upper roller '30 is slightly yieldable due tothe provision of the resilient bushings 39 and 40, and the lower roller31 is also self-adjusting to follow the irregularity of the shaft. I

It will be noted that in the case of a relatively large diameter shaft,the assembly 17 will be secured in a substantially upright position,namely, substantially'perpendicular to theshaft axis, as shown, forexample, in FIG- URE 2. Where the diameter of the shaft is much smaller,for example, as shown at 12 in FIGURE 4, the yoke assembly 17 can beadjusted to an angularly-inclined position with the conical surfaces 32,33 and 49, 50 in engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of theshaft. The bearing assembly 11 is thus suitable for use with shaftswhosediameters vary over a substantial range. Also, because of theyieldability of the end connections of the top roller and the provisionof means for selfadjustment of the bottom roller, the bearing assemblycan be employed with shafts whose cross-sectional shape is non-uniform,but essentially radially symmetrical and which is bowed or non-linearalong its length.

It will be further noted that the yoke assembly 17 is of open frame-likeconstruction providing easy access to the rollers 30 and 31 so that therollers may be easily lubricated or cleaned. Also, the assembly can beeasily dismantled or disassembled for repair or replacement of anyparts, as required.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 7, 8 and 9, theassembly may employ a U-shaped inner yoke 17 instead of the closedrectangular frame of the form of the invention illustrated in FIGUURES 1to 6, and if so desired, the top roller 30 may be rotatablysupportedbetween the upper portions of the side arms 24' and 23 of the inner yokein the manner previously-described, namely, employing the resilientsupporting sleeves 39 and 40. The bottom roller 31 may be likewisemounted in the lower portions of the arms 24' and 23 in the same manneras previously-described. The pivot stud 18 is integrally-formed with theside arms 24, and a spacer washer 28 may be employed between the arm 24'and the fixed main yoke arm 15. The pivot stud 19 is integrallyformed onthe opposite yoke arm 23 and is rotatablyreceived in the depending fixedyoke arm 16. As in the previously-described form of the invention, alocking screw 52 may be provided which is lockingly-engageable with theyoke arm 23 to lock the adjustable inner yoke 17' in a desired position.Alternatively, a coiled spring may be provided, the spring beingspirally-coiled and being located between the arm 23' and the arm 16,one end of the spring being anchored to the arm 23, and the other end ofthe spring being anchored to the arm 16, acting to bias the pivotedinner yoke 17' so that the top roller 30 continuously-engages the topsurface of the associated shaft and the bottom roller 31continuouslyengages the bottom surface of said shaft. The shaft is thussupported by the rollers with a yielding cushioned action.

As shown in FIGURE 9, conventional ball-bearing assemblies and 71 may beemployed to rotatably-support the end studs of the rollers 30 and 31inthe arms 24 and 23'. However, the annular abutment shoulders 45 and 46terminate a short distance inwardly of the inside surfaces of the arms24' and 23', as in the previouslydescribed form of the invention, toallow free axial adjustment of the bottom roller 31 in response todeviations in linearity of the associated shaft.

Referring now to the modification of the invention illustrated inFIGURES and 11, the form of shaftsupporting assembly shown therein isillustrated generally at 111, and comprises a pair of verticalsupporting bars 112 and 113 which may be secured to respectivehorizontally-spaced fixed supports 114 and 115, as illustrated, with thearms 112 and 113 depending therefrom in parallel relationship. AU-shaped yoke member 117 is pivoted between the arms 112 and 113, themember 117 having the respective side arms 123 and 124 provided at theirintermediate portions with respective aligned outwardly-projecting pivotstuds 119 and 118. The pivot studs 119 and 118 may be pivotally-mountedin the arms 112 and 113 in the same manner as previously-described withthe interposition of respective spacer washers 29 and 28 between theside arms 123, 124, and the adjacent fixed arms 112 and 113. An upperroller 30 is rotatablymounted in the upper portions of the arms 123 and124 in a suitable manner, for example, by means of ball bearings 70, asillustrated in FIGURE 9. A bottom roller 31 is rotatably-mounted in thelower portions of. the arms 123, 124, for example, by means of theball-bearing assembly 71 illustrated in FIGURE 9, and said lower roller31 is provided with the end abutment shoulders 46 and 45 which arespaced inwardly from the inside surfaces of the arms 123 and 124 topermit end play of the lower roller. The fixed arm 113- is provided atits bottom end with an offset lug 130 in which is slidably-mounted aheaded pin 131, the lug 130 overlapping the lower portion of arm 124,and the head 132 of the pin being biased into engagement with said lowerportion of arm 124 by coiled spring 133 surrounding the pin and bearingbetween head 132 and lug 130, as shown in FIGURE 11. The spring 133 thusacts to bias the yoke 117 in a manner to cause the top roller 30 tocontinuously-engage the top surface of a shaft supported in the assemblyand the bottom roller 31 to continuously-engage the bottom surface ofsaid shaft. This provides a yielding cushioned supporting actiongenerally similar to that obtained by the use of the coiled spring 60 inthe embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9.

FIGURE 12 illustrates a further embodiment of a shaftsupporting assemblyaccording to the present invention, which may be pivoted to a verticalsupporting wall or plate 200 and which may be locked in an angularadjusted position thereon. Thus, the assembly is designated generally at211 and comprises a U-shaped yoke member 217 having the side arms 224and 223. The top roller 30 is rotatably-mounted between the upperportions of the side arms 424 and 423, and the bottom roller 31 isrotatably-mounted between the lower portions of said side arms. Therespective rollers 30 and 31 may be rotatably-mounted in the side armsin any of the ways previously described, for example, in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 3, to allow reasonable deviation of the top roller30 and desired play of the bottom roller 31 responsive to irregularitiesor non-linearities of the associated shaft. The side arm 224 is providedwith the horizontally-projecting integral supporting stud 225 which isrotatably-supported'in the vertical plate or wall 200 and which issecured thereto by means of a nut 226 with a washer 227 provided betweenthe nut and the vertical supporting element 200.'A set screw 52 may beprovided in the vertical supporting wall or plate element 200, the setscrew being lockingly-engageable with the upper portion of the side arm22 to lock the yoke 217 in its desired angularly-adjusted positionwherein the conical surfaces of the top roller 30 are in substantiallycontinuous-engagement with the top surface of the supported shaft, andthe conical surfaces of the bottom roller 31 are in substantiallycontinuous-engagement with the bottom surface of said shaft.

FIGURE 13 illustrates a still further embodiment of a shaft-supportingassembly according to the present invention which may be pivotally andadjustably-mounted on a vertical supporting wall or plate 300 and whichmay be locked in adjusted angular position thereon.

The shaft-supporting assembly is designated generally at 317 andcomprises a frame member having a pair of parallel opposing end walls350 and 351 which are rigidly, connected together in spaced parallelrelationship by a pair of diametrically-oppositelongitudinally-extending arms 353, 353. One of the end walls, namely,the end wall 351 is generally circular and is provided with a cen; tralpivot stud 319 which is rotatably and supportinglyengaged in an aperture354 provided therefor in the vertical supporting wall or plate 300. Theend wall 351 is further provided with arcuate slots 355, 355 which areon common radii and which are concentric with the axis defined by thestud 319, and which extends perpendicular to the end walls 350 and 351.The frame is secured in adjusted angular position around the axis of thestud 319 by a clamping screw 356 engaged through one of the slots 355and threadedly-engaged in the vertical wall plate 300.

A first roller 330, similar to the rollers previously described, isrotatably-supported in the opposing end walls 350 and 351, as by theprovision of ball-bearing assemblies at the opposite ends of the roller,the outer races 337 and 338 of said ball-bearing assemblies beingresiliently-supported in resilient deformable bushings 39 and 40 ofrubber, or other similar resiliently-deformable material, allowingslight yielding of the outer races 337 and 338, thus allowingcorresponding slight lateral yielding movement of the reduced end studelements 335 and 336 of the roller 330, as in the form of the inventionillustrated in FIGURE 3. The stud elements 335 and 336 are also slidablein the inside race elements of the ballbearing assemblies, a sufiicientamount of clearance being provided between the inside race elements andthe respective end collar elements 355 and 356 of the roller 330 so thatthe roller is longitudinally-movable as well as rotatable between theend walls 350 and 351. e

The opposite roller 331 is mounted between the end walls 350 and 351 inthe same manner as the roller 330. Thus, the rollers 330 and 331 areable to shift in accord-- .ance with irregularities or slightnon-linearities of the supported shaft or other elongated elementdisposed between the rollers while the conical bearing surfaces of therollers remain in supporting contact therewith.

The rollers 330 and 331 are similar in construction to the rollerspreviously-described and have annular recessed portions adapted to makerolling contact with an elongated shaft-like body extending between therollers. The frame of the assembly 317 may be adjusted around itssupporting stud axis to provide proper rolling engagement of the rollerswith the shaft or other linearly-moving element supported in the bearingassembly and the frame may be locked in adjusted position by tighteningthe clamping screw 356.

FIGURE 14 illustrates a still further modification of an improvedbearing assembly according to the present invention, the assembly beingdesignated generally at 417 and comprising a frame having the oppositeend walls 450 and 451 which are rigidly-connected together in spacedparallel relationship by opposing longitudinallyextending arms 453, 453.One end wall, namely, the wall 451, is provided with the centralsupporting stud element 319 which is rotatably-engaged in an apertureprovided in the supporting wall or plate 300, and is adjustablysecuredto member 300, as in the embodiment of FIG- URE 13. The supportingrollers 330 and 331 are rotatably supported parallel to the axis of stud319 in the opposing end walls 450 and 451 by the provision of respectiveballbearing assemblies 437 and 438 which are slidablymounted in recessesprovided therefor in the opposing end walls, namely, in apertures 460and in recesses 461 provided, respectively, in end walls 451 and 450.The end studs 335 and 336 of the rollers are received in the inner racesof the ball-bearing assemblies. In the arrangement illustrated in FIGURE14, the outer ball-bearing assembly 437 associatedvwith the upper roller330 is biased inwardly, namely, toward the wall 300, by the provision ofa circular sinuously-curved ring-shaped leaf spring 470 disposed in therecess 461 and bearing between the outer race member of ball-bearingassembly 437 and the main wall 471 of recess 461. As shown in FIGURE 14,the lower roller 331 is preferably longitudinally-slidable to somedegree between the end walls 451 and 450. Thus, the ball-bearingassemblies associated with the lower roller 331 and shown respectivelyat 437' and 438' may be rigidly-secured in their supporting recesses andclearance may be provided between the abutment collar elements 355 and356 on the opposite end portions of the roller to allow a sufficientdegree of longitudinal-sliding movement of the roller end studs 335 and336' to allow the roller 331 to shift freely in accordance withirregularities or slight nOn-linearities of the shaft or other elongatedlinearly-moving member supported between the rollers. Furthermore, theupper roller 330 is also allowed to move slightly in a longitudinaldirection against the biasing force of the circular leaf spring element470. The end walls 350 and 450 of FIGURES 13 and 14 are preferably ofsubstantially the same width as the bar-like longitudinal connectingmembers 453 and 353. The opposite end walls 351 and 451 are preferablyof circular shape so that they can be formed with the arcuate slots 355for receiving one or more clamping screws 356, as shown in FIGURE 16.

FIGURES 17 and 18 illustrate a still further modification of ashaft-supporting assembly according to the present invention, generallysimilar to that shown in FIG- URE 14, except that the resilientcushioning means associated with the upper roller 330 is provided at itsinner bearing, namely, adjacent the supporting wall or plate 300, ratherthan at its outer bearing. Thus, the upper roller 330 is supported inrespective ball-bearing assemblies 437 and 438, the outer assembly 437being mounted in a recess provided in the outer frame wall 450', therecess being shown at 475. The inner bearing assembly 438 is mounted ina circular aperture 476 provided in the inner wall 451 and is biasedoutwardly 'by a sinuously-curved circular leaf spring 470 bearingbetween the ball-bearing assembly 438 and a snap ring 477 engaged in agroove provided therefor in the wall of the aperture 476. The bearingassemblies 437 and 438 are slidable in their seats so as to allowlimited longitudinal movement of the roller 330 against the biasingforce of the circular leaf spring 470. The lower roller 331 is mountedin bottom bearing assemblies 437' and 438, inward movement of the innerbearing assembly 438 being limited by the provision of a snap ring 477'in the aperture 476' provided for bearing assembly 438. However,longitudinal movement of roller 331 is allowed by the provision ofclearance between respective ball-bearing assemblies 437' and 438' andthe stop collar elements 355 and 356 as in the embodiment illustrated inFIG- URE 14.

As shown in FIGURE 17, the lower bearing recess 475 for the outerbearing 437 is shaped to allow ample clearance for endwise outwardmovement of the roller end stud element 335. Similar endwise clearanceis provided in the bore 476' for the inner roller stud element 336'.-

As above-mentioned, the various forms of the shaftsupporting bearingdevices above-described are relatively of open construction,affordingeasy access to the rollers and associated parts for cleaning orlubrication, and affording relatively little opportunity for theaccumulation of foreign material thereon, such as dust, dirt, and grit.It will also be noted that the bearing devices abovedescribed are eithersubstantially self-adjusting or are contact with the associated shaftregardless of variations in cross-sectional diameter of the shaft or ofnon-linearity thereof. Thus, the above-described bearing devices presentconsiderable advantages over the bearing devices previously employed forthe same purpose, for example, over the ball-bearing type bushingdevices wherein bearing balls are free to roll in a track positionedbetween the shaft and the bushing, the track being parallel to the axisof the shaft. In the relatively expensive and complicated linear bushingdevices of this type, there are various undesirable limitations anddisadvantages. For example, the load-carrying capacity of the bushing islimited by the load-carrying capacity of the balls, there are criticaltolerances as to the fit between the shaft and other parts of thebushing, and damage to the balls frequently occurs due to binding andmisalignment. Furthermore, it is very difficult to maintain suchbushings clean and free of foreign material. The entry of foreignmaterial causes gumming, oxidation, and the eventual break-down of thelubricant employed with the bushing.

Similar disadvantages are present with linear bushings of the solidmetal type. As in the case of the ballbearing type bushings, there aresevere limitations with respect to tolerances and provision forvariations in cross-sectional diameter and linearity of the associatedshaft.

Therefore, it will be readily apparent that the shaftsupporting bushingsof the present invention present clear-out and definite advantages overthe previously-employed bushings with respect to the featuresabove-mentioned, and mainly with respect to the fact that the bushingsof the present invention are self-aligning, or easily manually-aligned,so that successive pairs of bushings can be properly aligned relative toeach other, and that the bushings are quite suitable for bowed,eccentric or heavily-loaded shafts. The open construction of thebushings makes them easy to lubricate and provides ample ventilation sothat they will not overheat. Also, because of the relatively limitedpoints of frictional contact and because of the yieldability of thesupporting elements of the bushings of the present invention, there is aminimum amount of wasted horsepower derived from frictional loss.

While certain specific embodiments of an improved bearing assembly forsupporting a linearly-moving shaft have been disclosed in the foregoingdescription, it will be understood that various modifications within thespirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art.Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the inventionexcept as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shaft and bearing assembly, a support, a yoke member pivoted tosaid support, a shaft extending through said yoke member, respectiverollers journaled in said yoke member above and below the shaft and onsubstantially parallel axes spaced on opposite sides of and parallel tothe pivotal axis of the yoke member, said rollers having annularperipherally-recessed bearing portions engageable with the shaft withrolling contact, means between the support and the yoke member holdingthe yoke member in a selected rotated position between extreme pivotallimits relative to the support, maintaining said rolling contact, atleast one of said rollers being longitudinally movable along its axis aswell as rotatable around its axis, and spring means acting on said oneof the rollers to bias it in an axial direction.

2. The shaft and bearing assembly of claim 1, and wherein said yokemember is provided with an end wall adjacent the support, said end wallbeing formed with an arcuate slot concentric with the pivotal axis ofthe yoke member, and wherein the means holding the yoke member in aselected rotated position comprises a clamp ing screw engaged with thesupport and extending through said slot.

3. The shaft and bearing assembly of claim 1, and wherein saidlongitudinally movable roller is provided with respective bearingsrotatably supporting its end portions in said opposite sides of the yokemember.

4. The shaft and bearing assembly of claim 3, and wherein at least oneof said bearings is longitudinally movable, and wherein said springmeans acts on said longitudinally movable bearing.

5. The shaft and bearing assembly of claim 4, and wherein said springmeans is a sinuously curved resilient ring member, the yoke member beingprovided with abutment means, adjacent said longitudinally movablebearing, said ring member being interposed between and simultaneouslybearing on said movable bearing and said abutment means.

6. The shaft and bearing assembly of claim 5, and wherein said abutmentmeans comprises an expanding spring snap ring, said yoke member beingformed with an annular groove adjacent said movable bearing receivingsaid snap ring.

7. The shaft and bearing assembly of claim 2, and wherein said end wallis provided with an axial stud member rotatably received in the supportand acting as the pivotal connection of the yoke member to the sup port.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 572,384 12/ 1896 Smith 308-72,107,234 2/1938 Chambers 308-6 2,226,511 12/ 1940 Hollerith. 2,236,4513/ 1941 Roeihel 308-6 X 2,349,957 5/1944 Greve 3086 2,458,573 1/ 1949Donahue 254-190 2,581,298 1/1952 Roe 254l90 2,828,938 4/ 1958 Roesoh308-203 X 12,912,288 11/1959 Griswold 3086 2,976,089 3/ 196-1 Vogt 3086X 3,097,895 7/1963 Matt. 11,323,704 6/1967 Hannis 226-480 FOREIGNPATENTS 437,201 11/ 1926 Germany.

600,960 4/ 1948 Great Britain.

368,726 3/ 1939 Italy.

EDGAR W. GEOGHEGAN, Primary Examiner.

L. L. JOHNSON, Assistant Examiner.

